POLICE Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has urged Jamaica’s human rights advocates to ensure that their advocacy does not cross the line into vilification.

Writing in his weekly Commissioner’s Corner — published in the Force Orders last Friday — Blake pointed out that there are several mechanisms in place to ensure oversight and accountability by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and added that he would embrace any additional accountability instrument or system that is suggested to complement those already in place.

“However, by simply shouting loudly about the need for greater accountability without basis or context is not very useful,” said Blake.

“Let me hasten to say that this is not a call to silence criticism — far from it. Constructive dialogue, transparency, and accountability are vital to democratic policing. But such dialogue must be grounded in facts, fairness, and a respect for the principles of justice —including the presumption of innocence.

“As commissioner, I reaffirm the JCF’s commitment to protecting lives — both civilian and police — and to doing so with professionalism, restraint, and respect for human rights. We will continue to engage with civil society but we will also defend the integrity and courage of you, our members who serve with honour,” added Blake.

The commissioner’s comments came in the wake of a plan by human rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) to stage a protest against fatal shootings by members of the JCF on Tuesday, April 29.

According to JFJ’s Executive Director Mickel Jackson, the group will be staging an ‘End Police Violence Protest’ from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre to spotlight the escalating crisis of police fatal shootings in Jamaica and demand accountability, justice, and systemic reform.

Between January 1 and April 16 a total of 96 people had been fatally shot by members of the security forces, and JFJ has warned that if this trend continues the country could surpass its highest recorded figures, exceeding the 258 deaths reported in 2013 — numbers not seen since before the establishment of the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom).

“The protest will bring together victims, their families, human rights advocates, and concerned citizens to amplify their voices and push for change. Participants will engage in a peaceful rally with placards and chants such as ‘End police violence’, ‘Where are the body-worn cameras?’, and ‘Accountability now’,” alongside victim testimonials and solidarity speeches from civil society leaders,” said Jackson.

While not directly addressing the JFJ-planned protest, the police commissioner pointed to the rigorous training that people undergo on joining the JCF as he charged that, “Oversight does not scare us. Instead, it helps to shape us into the great organisation that we have become.”

He said that the JCF has a very strong system of accountability to ensure that its members behave responsibly with this power given to them.

“The system involves the vetting of each member as part of all promotion procedures. It includes an administrative review of any operation that has led to the use of deadly or injurious force, while the involved members are taken off front-line duty,” said Blake.

“It includes very strong oversight by the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB) that is responsible for monitoring compliance with procedures, professional standards, and investigating internal misconduct.

“It includes disciplinary mechanisms such as [the] Orderly Room and Court of Enquiry that can result in very grave consequences for proven misconduct. It includes one of the highest hierarchy of supervision and management. It includes numerous comprehensive policies and procedures that guide our daily activities and behaviour,” added Blake.

JACKSON… the protest will bring together victims, their families, human rights advocates, and concerned citizens to amplify their voices and push for change